U.S. cross-country sprint champion Chris Cook will be making his first Olympic appearance February in Torino. Cook, a native of Rhinelander, Wis., graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2003, and has been heating up the trails ever since. Cook spoke recently with USA TODAY's Adam Hirshfield for the latest installment in our 10.0 interview series.

1. How would you explain cross-country skiing to someone who knew nothing about it?

It's kind of like cross-country running while on skis. There are two types, two techniques: the classic, the traditional, which everyone usually associates with cross-country skiing. Then there's skating, the new-age, evolved version. You can't skate in a classic-style race. You could classic in a skate race, but that's not going to do you any good (because it's slower). They change the events at the Olympics each time. This year it's a 15K classic race, but in the last Olympics, I think it was a 15K skate.

You're the U.S. sprint champion. How does that fit into the mix? What technique is that, classic or skate?

We do both classic and skate sprints. This year happened to be a skate sprint. A sprint is generally between 800 meters and 1.3 kilometers. The whole field goes on individual starts, 30 seconds apart, and they take the top 30 times. So it's like a straight time trial, trying to lay down the fastest time. The top 30 are then placed into five heats with six people in each. You do the same course, and the top two finishers in each heat move on in knockout style until you have the final four guys who skate in the final.

2. Why should people care about the competitive form of this sport? Given the general lack of appreciation in the U.S., what are people missing?

They should start caring because of the recent international success some of our athletes are experiencing. A couple of years ago, (U.S. teammate) Kris Freeman was fourth at the world championships. This year, we had a sprint in Canada that featured all of the best guys in the world, and we had three finish in the top 15.

The sprint and distance events are also getting more spectator-oriented. They have us doing short loops, where we're skiing through the stadium more often, and the sprint races are in the stadium the whole time.

So with the level of success we're having, along with the more exciting time for the spectators, it'll help it catch on and make it something people in this country want to watch.

3. How did you get started cross-country skiing?

I grew up doing it. I was fortunate to be part of a great high school program in Rhinelander, Wis. There were a lot of fun, cool guys on the team, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. That was the start for me.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, I played a lot of soccer. It was my No. 1 sport for a while, and I finally had to make a decision going to college whether I wanted to continue playing soccer or focus on cross country, because I was recruited for both. I decided to go to Northern Michigan University and pursue my dreams as a cross-country skier. It was a hard thing to do, but I put soccer behind me right there, and I'm happy with my decision.

4. What's the biggest misconception people have about cross-country skiing?

The biggest misconception out there is that people see cross-country skiers as outdoorsy, tree-hugger types. It may have started out that way, but there's a new breed of athlete out there, especially with the sprinters. There's a little more swagger, a little more showmanship.

Is it the best aerobic exercise out there ... like the "NordicTrack" people always claim?

It is a physically demanding sport overall because you're using everything: arms, legs, lungs. There isn't anything you can slack on. It's really physically demanding that way, and that's something most cross-country skiers take great pride in: how tough the sport is. Then to be able to compete at a high level speaks for itself.

So are cross-country skiers the best athletes?

I think we're one of the most physically fit athletes.

5. Do you see performance-enhancing drugs as a problem in your sport?

Yes, it's definitely a problem, and that's unfortunate ... much like in cycling. But USADA and WADA are trying to get a handle on things. In the Salt Lake Games, (Spanish skier) Johann Muhlegg got busted and lost all of his medals, and Canadian Beckie Scott ended up winning gold after the two who finished ahead of her got caught. But the doping really takes away from what (Scott) got, because she misses out on getting the medal at the Olympics and instead gets it three years later.

But it would be really nice to get out there on the starting line and know that all the skiers are at the same physiological level and no one's trying to cheat someone else out of it.

It's unfortunate, but they're working on making the sport cleaner, which is good to see.

Have you personally had any experience in dealing with performance-enhancing drugs?

No, not firsthand. On the U.S. Ski Team, we're very strict about it. There's no room for error. We're very careful, all the way down to the supplements we use. We make sure we know where they came from, who made them, what's in them, and that there's not even a question. Because if we get a random (drug) test, there better not be something we didn't know about that got into our bodies.

Do you think there's pressure from the fans to be serious about doping, especially after the changes in baseball and other major sports?

Yeah, and I think it's great that fans are putting pressure on to make it an even playing field. You want to know that when someone is out there dominating the field, that they did it because they are really that much better. If someone goes out and dominates now, it seems to automatically raise the drug question: "Maybe they're on something." And that's really unfortunate if they're not on something. But the pressure from fans is good because it will keep USADA and WADA and the IOC on top of it and really cracking down on it.

6. How does the U.S. program compare to those in other countries?

Relatively well, as far as the quality of coaching and motivation. Where we're behind is in funding and in overall (financial) support. The Scandinavians have a gi-normous budget, so they can bring their full staff of masseuses, cooks and bakers to events. Whereas on the U.S. Ski Team, we're a little bit understaffed and we don't have as big a budget, so we can't bring as many athletes to events. That hurts us also in development. But aside from the budget and the staffing, our coaching and the goals we've set are on par with the top programs in the world.

What do you think of your teammates? Are you guys close?

For the most part, yeah, it's a close-knit team. Team cohesion is a really important issue, and everyone's on the same page. If anyone has a problem, they feel free to voice it. We take care of everything in-house. It's a really good team to be a part of.

You've posted very impressive results here in the U.S. How do things change when you're on the international scene, competing on foreign soil?

It's not much of a change for us, honestly. It gives us an opportunity to be on a bigger stage where we can prove to the Europeans that we're on the same level. We had an international competition in North America this year (in Canada in December), which was good because it brought the Europeans over to our turf. We posted some great results, and they definitely took notice. So when we get over there, we'll be at a slight disadvantage being on their turf, but we'll be there to prove we're among the best in the world.

Is there trash talking that goes on with the European skiers? Do they take the U.S. athletes seriously?

They are now. Back in the day, they used to take a few cheap shots at us every now and then, but now with the recent success we've had, they're not so eager to drop those lines because they know that next time that could be the motivation one of us needs to really pop off a good race.

7. Since this will be your first Olympics, are you going there trying just not to screw up? Or do you approach it as medal or bust?

My approach is to go over there and get everything out of the Olympics that they have to offer. But in the back of my mind, I'm over there to try and prove to myself and everyone else that Americans are on the same level as Europeans. I really plan on going over there and having some of the best races of my career.

Who are the favorites in Torino?

In the sprint, I'd have to go with either the Norwegians or the Swedes. Sweden's Bjoern Lind has really been sprinting well this year as has Norwegian Tor Arne Hetland. Then in the distance races, you'd have to look out for the Germans. They're lighting it up this year.

On the final day of competition in Torino, there's a 50K race. That seems insanely long to me ...

That seems insanely long to me, too. The Germans might not be the favorites in that one, because that's just the "tough-guy" race. But I'm sure the Germans won't be too far out.

If you could improve in one aspect of your sport, turning you immediately into a favorite for gold, what would it be, whether it's physical, mental, in training or in preparation?

Confidence. We have some guys with world-class technique, world-class training and we're knocking on the door. If we got a top-15 or top-10 American in every race and we could start building on that, much like the Alpine skiers did with one, two, then three guys competing in every race ... they're in there now every time. If we start that going, which we're close to doing, that will be the one thing that starts this ball rolling downhill.

8. Who are your favorite athletes? Who has been inspirational to you?

Since I was little, I always wanted to be like, carry myself like and be a professional like Michael Jordan. Being from Wisconsin and being a large Packers fan, I also love the toughness that Brett Favre has shown day in and day out, handling game situations and having a good time doing it.

Are there other events or athletes you're excited to see in Torino?

The Alpine events are going to be fun to watch with Bode (Miller) and (Daron) Rahlves and all the success they've had. I also want to catch the halfpipe events with the snowboarders.

9. What kind of music do you listen to?

I usually just go with the "shuffle" button on my iPod. But it ranges from rap and rock music into metal. Metallica and Rage Against the Machine help to get you fired up before a race.

What about your free time? Is there a significant other in your life?

No, single right now. The tour keeps you pretty busy. We're on the road from November until almost the end of April, so it's kind of tough.

10. What one thing are you most looking forward to about Torino?

The Opening Ceremonies, because I don't think you really realize what you've gotten yourself into until you get over there and walk out into the huge stadium among the best winter athletes in the world. That's when it will finally hit me: "This is the Olympics."